EP3130893B1 - Device and method for determining a shading level of a parking position for a vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The present application relates to devices, processing devices and methods for determining and / or transmitting a degree of shading of a parking position for a vehicle.

In high temperatures, parking a vehicle in a shaded parking lot is an advantage. A strong sunlight leads to an undesirable heating of the vehicle interior, therefore shadow parking spaces are sought after. In some vehicles, a ventilation system is installed in the vehicle, but it takes a certain time until it has reduced the interior temperature accordingly. In addition, it is generally necessary for the driver to activate the auxiliary ventilation in good time before starting to drive.

In other situations, sun parking spaces can be sought after, for example, in winter, because then the vehicle when boarding is not so cold and also, for example, iced vehicle windows can defrost itself depending on the sun and the outside temperature.

The DE 101 06 152 A1 relates to a control of a floor ventilation in a motor vehicle for lowering an internal temperature with a control unit for the auxiliary ventilation and at least one timer, wherein the auxiliary ventilation is switched on for a predetermined period when the internal temperature exceeds a predetermined limit.

The DE 10 2007 056 770 A1 relates to a ventilation and / or air conditioning system for a vehicle with a fan for air intake of outside air from the environment of the vehicle, and a method for controlling the ventilation and / or air conditioning system.

The DE 10 2011 084 090 A1 discloses a device for connecting a motor vehicle having a predetermined identification to a data network. The device in this case comprises a connection unit in order to produce an encrypted data connection with the motor vehicle, which is designed to receive the predetermined identification. The device further comprises a memory unit in which at least one comparison identification is stored, and a further connection unit for establishing a further data connection with the data network. In addition, the control device comprises a control unit which is designed to connect the motor vehicle to the data network via the connection unit and the further connection unit if the received predefined identification of the motor vehicle coincides with a stored comparison identification.

The DE 10 2008 015 232 A1 discloses a communication device for a vehicle for communication with a center, wherein the communication device has a position determination unit for determining a position of the vehicle. The communication device further comprises a communication unit for establishing and maintaining a communication connection to the center and transmitting the first information data via the communication connection to the center, the communication connection being based on a cellular communication network, and wherein the first information data includes data about the position of the vehicle.

The DE 10 2010 054 081 A1 relates to a method and a device for generating parking instructions for the driver of a vehicle, in particular of a motor vehicle. The position of the sun and the orientation of the vehicle are determined. Furthermore, by means of the sun position information and the determined orientation of the vehicle, a parking position for the vehicle which is characterized by a minimal input of heat by the solar radiation into the vehicle is determined, and finally the one determined parking position for the vehicle is displayed to the driver.

The in the publication DE 10 2010 054 081 A1 cited document DE 10 2009 022 280 A1 concerns, in particular, a method and a device for operating a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has at least one photovoltaic cell, wherein means are provided by means of which at least one indication for a driving route and / or parking possibility with maximum solar radiation is output to a driver at least when the route guidance is activated; . becomes.

The DE 102 48 003 A1 relates to an automatic sunshade for vehicles with motor-driven Abschattmitteln for covering at least one translucent vehicle body surface of a parked or parked vehicle with control means which activates the motor drive of the Abschattmittel in response to at least one temperature value, which is detected by a provided on the vehicle temperature sensor.

The US 2013/0151088 A1 relates to a method and system for collecting vehicle data related to traffic. A vehicle includes a plurality of sensors to detect vehicle performance and location information, and a data collection module to collect the vehicle performance and location information and provide it to a remote node to provide the performance and location information to other vehicles.

The DE 10 2014 201 195 A1 relates to an autonomous vehicle operation during a parking phase in order to set at least one operating parameter of the motor vehicle according to a user specification during the parking phase by operating at least one motor vehicle component. A control unit receives status data concerning at least one environment variable acting on the at least one operating parameter during the parking phase and relating to a respective state of the at least one vehicle component and determines at least one starting time or at least one running time depending on the conditions for the internal combustion engine. In this case, for example, weather forecast data received from the Internet regarding a future course of the outside temperature and a solar radiation can be taken into account via a receiving device.

The DE 10 2014 001 554 A1 relates to a method for automatically parking a vehicle on a parking area having a plurality of parking spaces. By a control device, a specific parking space is assigned. Furthermore, an environmental information is provided and based on the environmental information, the parking lots are evaluated. If appropriate, a vehicle located on a parking space rated as suboptimal is converted to a parking space rated as optimal by the control device. A parking lot may be considered suboptimal if the sun's rays are strong enough to cause it to heat up above a set vehicle temperature limit.

The DE 10 2013 001308 A1 relates to a method for providing information about a parking space, in particular for transmitting reliable information about one or more parking spaces and for providing it to a driver of a vehicle. By means of a detection device, characteristic data of a parking space are recorded which describe an environmental influence, which acted on a first vehicle parked in the parking space, and / or which describe an event that took place at the parking space and / or which one geographical position of the parking lot. The feature data is stored by an off-vehicle information device. Later, the feature data is transmitted by the information device to a navigation device, by means of which a driver of a second vehicle searches for a parking space for the second vehicle.

The US 2010/236770 A1 relates to systems and methods for operating a heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a vehicle. During a first condition in which the engine is running, the HVAC system is operated to provide an occupant requested level of thermal comfort. During a second state in which the vehicle is off and a vehicle door or window is in a closed or locked state, the operation of the HVAC system is maintained to provide the occupant requested level of thermal comfort. During a third state in which the vehicle is off and a vehicle door or window is in an open or unlocked position, operation of the HVAC system is discontinued.

DE 10 2012 221179 A1 relates to a method and a corresponding device for operating a vehicle, in which map data with topographical information are provided. In addition, a time and date are provided. Depending on the map data, the time and the date, a shadow level is determined for a given area.

The EP 1 775 690 A1 relates to a method of navigating a vehicle to a parking lot in a target area surrounding a destination. In the method, parking data for the destination area is received, and a parking area within the destination area is determined from the parking data based on at least one parking strategy parameter. Navigation information is provided to a driver of the vehicle for guiding the vehicle to the parking area. A traffic information parameter for the target area is determined and based on the Traffic information parameter at least one parking strategy parameter is determined for determining the parking area.

The KR 100 980 660 B1 relates to a parking management method and a vehicle control system for maintaining the correct temperature in a vehicle by finding a parking location based on the weather information of the current location of a vehicle. A GPS (Global Positioning System) receiving unit receives a GPS signal. A storage unit stores structural information including parking space information. A sunlight sensor measures an intensity or a direction of radiation of the sun or more. A control unit extracts the current location information of a vehicle from the GPS receiving unit. A control unit recommends a parking space based on structural information and the absolute sun position.

Shaded parking, which is known to the driver from his own experience, can be controlled by the driver according to the above documents. However, the knowledge about the corresponding locations is limited to the information by the driver himself.

It is therefore an object of the present application to provide a device which makes it possible to determine a degree of shading of a parking position for a vehicle and to provide this information.

This object is achieved according to the present invention by a device according to claim 1. The subclaims define further embodiments of the present invention. The inventive device for determining a degree of shading of a parking position for a vehicle comprises a sensor device, wherein the sensor device is set up to determine an outside temperature and an interior temperature of the vehicle. The device is characterized in that it further comprises an evaluation device, wherein the evaluation device is set up to determine the degree of shading of the parking position based on the outside temperature and the interior temperature. The device further comprises a transmitting device, wherein the transmitting device is set up to send information about the degree of shading of the parking position of the vehicle to an external device.

The degree of shading may indicate, for example, that it is a shaded parking position (shadow parking) or that it is a sunny parking position (sun parking).

The automatic determination of a degree of shading of a parking position and the transmission of the information to a processing device, for example via an online service, which in turn can transmit the information to another vehicle or other vehicles, represents a high level of comfort for a driver be informed, where currently, in its vicinity, a shadow parking lot or a sun car park. According to the invention, this information is available at all times, above all even when the driver is in an environment that is unfamiliar to him, such as in a foreign city, where his experience of shaded or sunny parking is limited or absent ,

In addition, outdoor temperature sensors are fitted as standard in vehicles, and indoor temperature sensors are standard in vehicles with a regulated air conditioning integrated. To determine a shading of a parking position, which is based on the temperature values of these sensors, therefore no new or additional components must be installed.

The device further comprises a receiving device, wherein the receiving device is set up to receive information about a further degree of shading of a further parking position of the vehicle from the processing device. The device further comprises an output device, wherein the output device is set up to output information about the further degree of shading of the further parking position of the vehicle to a driver of the vehicle.

A receiving device integrated in the vehicle can thus receive information about a degree of shading of a parking position from the processing device and inform the driver of the position of a desired parking space, e.g. a shadow parking lot or a sun parking place at any time.

This information is eg from other vehicles, for example, located on a shaded parking lot or have been there at another time, for example, determined as described above and transmitted to the processing device, wherein This in turn can transmit information via an online service to an integrated receiver unit of another vehicle and thus informs the driver about the position of the shaded parking lot.

An automated provision of information about shaded and / or sunny parking positions via, for example, a back-end or WLAN offers as online service for a driver a knowledge advantage over drivers whose vehicles do not have this technology. This information base is clearly superior to any knowledge of experience and in principle available in every city in which vehicles travel that have integrated the device according to the invention.

Due to the communication between the vehicle and processing device and the collection of information from different vehicles, for example, located in the shaded or sunny parking position, an updated information about the position of a shaded or sunny parking position for the driver is ensured at all times.

In one exemplary embodiment, the evaluation device is set up to determine a temperature difference between outside temperature and interior temperature and to determine the degree of shading as a function of a comparison of the temperature difference with at least one threshold value. Thus, the degree of shading can be determined easily.

For example, it may be determined as a level of shading that the vehicle is in a shaded parking position when the temperature difference is less than a first threshold of the at least one threshold, and / or it may be determined that the vehicle is in a sunny parked position the temperature difference is greater than a second threshold of the at least one threshold. The first threshold may be equal to, but may be different than, the second threshold. The threshold value may, for example, be in the range from 0 to 20 Kelvin (K), for example ≦ 1 K, 3 K, 5 K, 8 K, 10 K, 15 K or 20 K, these values being merely exemplary and may vary depending on the application. Thus, a distinction between shadow parking spaces and sun parking spaces is possible by a simple threshold comparison.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the evaluation device may be configured to determine the shading level based on a change in the internal temperature over time and / or based on a change in the outside temperature over time. In this way, for example, an accuracy of the determination whether it is a shadow parking space or a sun parking space can be improved.

For example, it may be determined as a shading degree that the vehicle is determined in a shaded parking position when the indoor temperature rises in the same manner as the outdoor temperature or the indoor temperature slightly decelerates compared with the outdoor temperature, for example, with a delay less than a deceleration threshold. This may, for example, reflect a typical increase in the temperature in a shadow parking lot after a cool night, wherein the delay of the interior temperature relative to the outside temperature may be determined, for example, by an isolation of the vehicle. A suitable delay threshold value can be determined here by measurements, for example.

It may also be noted that it is a shaded parking position when the interior temperature remains approximately constant or drops slowly (e.g., at a rate less than a rate threshold), which may also be a positive temperature difference from the outside temperature; the interior temperature may be higher than the outside temperature. Such a situation may occur, for example, if the vehicle previously stood on a sunny parking lot and then parked in a shadow parking lot.

In addition or as an alternative, it can be established as a degree of shading that the vehicle is in a sunny parking position when the interior temperature rises more rapidly than the outside temperature. Such a situation may e.g. occur when a night-cooled vehicle warms up in the sun or an air-conditioned vehicle is parked after driving in the sun.

Thus, by evaluating the course of the interior temperature over time or outside temperature over time, different situations can be detected.

According to one embodiment, the sensor device may comprise a brightness sensor, wherein the evaluation device is set up to determine the degree of shading of the parking position as a function of a brightness value of the brightness sensor.

With the aid of a brightness sensor, it is possible to estimate whether the sun is shining, whereby it can be deduced whether a distinction between direct solar radiation and shadow parking space makes sense.

In addition, it can be determined by means of the brightness sensor, for example, whether a windshield or other disc of the vehicle is covered with an insulating film or other material, which leads to a reduced heating of the vehicle interior and thus to a reduced increase in the interior temperature. This effect can then be taken into account in the evaluation in order to determine the degree of shading more accurately.

A brightness sensor is also installed as standard in today's vehicles, so no new component must be installed. The output values of this brightness sensor can also be output with common vehicle software and made available for further use. As a result, no software changes are necessary.

In addition, the evaluation device may be configured to determine whether the vehicle is in a parked state, and only to determine the degree of shading when the vehicle is in a parked state. This determination may be based, for example, on data from a GPS sensor (for example, by determining whether the vehicle is in the same location for a predetermined period of time) and / or based on data from a speed sensor (eg, determining that the speed is at least for a predetermined period of time is 0) and / or determined based on information about an ignition of the vehicle. In this way, it can be reliably determined whether the vehicle is parked at all.

According to one embodiment, the evaluation device can be set up to match information about the degree of shading of the parking position with weather data.

A comparison of the data, which includes information on a shaded or a sunny parking position, with weather data, ensures that the data are only determined if at the appropriate place at a certain time to expect solar radiation. If the adjustment takes place explicitly by the evaluation device of the vehicle, can after Polling the weather data, the vehicle itself determine whether a determination of shading makes sense or must be waived.

According to one embodiment, the evaluation device can be set up to determine a location of the parking position, and the transmission device can be set up to send the location of the parking position, in particular together with the degree of shading, to the processing device. Thus, location-related information about the level of shading can be stored in the processing device. The determination of the location of the parking position, for example, on the basis of GPS data, as often determined by navigation systems anyway, or on the basis of determined by means of a camera visual data of the parking lot.

The visual location of a parking position is an alternative method of localization based on GPS. GPS is restricted in shadow areas with poor visibility to the sky. Visual localization provides an additional way to determine a parking position when GPS localization is not possible.

According to one embodiment, the evaluation device may be configured to compare information about the degree of shading of the parking position with a temporal information, wherein the temporal information may include a time of day and / or a season.

The time of day has an influence on the position of the sun, accordingly, for example, a parking position in the morning can be a sun car park and in the afternoon a shadow car park. The season has, for example, influence on the foliage state of the trees, accordingly, the parking position in summer can be a shadow parking lot and in the fall a sun parking place.

Accordingly, when determining a degree of shading of the parking position, the time of day and the season can be taken into account, which optimizes the determination of the degree of shading of the parking position.

The sensor device according to the invention is further configured to determine whether a door and / or a window and / or a flap of the vehicle is open or closed.

A determination as to whether doors and / or windows and / or flaps of the vehicle are open or closed may provide additional information about the interior temperature of the vehicle.

The degree of shading of the parking position is determined according to the invention, depending on whether a door and / or a window and / or a flap of the vehicle is open or closed. Open or closed doors and / or windows and / or flaps of the vehicle may affect the measured interior temperature of the vehicle. Under certain circumstances, they can lead to a lowering of the interior temperature and thus influence the classification of shadow parking spaces.

According to one embodiment, the evaluation device may be configured to determine the degree of shading of the parking position as a function of an orientation of the vehicle in the parking position to a position of the sun at the parking position.

An evaluation of the orientation of the vehicle to the sun, by reading the example installed compass of a navigation system and taking into account the time of day dependent sun position, allows an optimized determination of the degree of shading a parking position, as the vehicle, for example, heats up more if the windscreen, for example, aligned directly in the direction of solar radiation is.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the evaluation device can be set up to determine the degree of shading after a predetermined minimum parking time and / or repeatedly. In this way, an accuracy of the determination can be increased since, after a minimum parking time or at a later repetition of the determination, an influence of a previous movement of the vehicle (for example driving through sunny areas, driving through shaded areas, etc.) to the determination of the degree of shading is lower and thus a more precise determination is possible.

A processing device, for example a server arrangement, for transmitting and receiving information from vehicles may comprise a receiving device, wherein the receiving device is set up to receive first information about a degree of shading of a parking position from a plurality of vehicles. The processing device can further store a data memory for Storing data based on the received first information, wherein the receiving device is further configured to receive a request for the degree of shading of the parking position from a vehicle. The processing device may further comprise a transmitting device, wherein the transmitting device is set up to send second information about the degree of shading of the parking position to the vehicle in response to the request on the basis of the stored data.

The information about a degree of shading of a parking position can be provided according to the invention of a plurality of vehicles, that is, for example, of vehicles that have been at a different time in this parking position.

That is to say, in the case of boundary conditions, such as shady trees or buildings that do not change over a certain period of time, that is to say that are constant on a time scale of weeks, the data, that is to say the information about the degree of shading of the parking position over several vehicles, parked in the same place are qualitatively improved.

Storing data based on the received information about the level of shading of the parking position, for example, allows the creation of a map having a plurality of shaded and / or sunny parking positions as a function of time, which are retrieved from the data memory by a driver of another vehicle can be reliably available to him at any time. The transmitting device then transmits, based on a request, the driver the desired information, that is, the driver is free to choose when and what information he wants.

The processing device can be set up to compare the first information about a degree of shading of the parking position with weather data. The processing device may determine current weather data, for example request the weather data directly from a weather service and make it available, for example via an online service, to a driver of a vehicle. The driver can request and retrieve the corresponding data as required.

A method for sending and receiving information from vehicles may be to receive information about a level of shading of parking positions of a plurality of vehicles. The method may further include storing data based on the received information by means of a data memory, wherein a request for a degree of shading of a parking position from a vehicle may be received by the receiving device. The method may further include transmitting second information about a degree of shading of a parking position in response to the request based on the stored data to the vehicle.

The method for sending and receiving information from vehicles has the same advantages as the already discussed advantages of the processing device for a vehicle.

The method for determining a degree of shading of a parking position for a vehicle may include determining an outside temperature and an interior temperature of the vehicle. The method may further include determining whether the vehicle is in a shaded or a sunny park position based on the outside temperature and the interior temperature. The method may further include transmitting information about the vehicle's shaded or sunny parking position to a processing device.

The method for determining a parking position shading for a vehicle has the same advantages as the already discussed advantages of the device for a vehicle.

The method may include receiving further information about a degree of shading of a parking position of the vehicle from the processing device. The method may further include outputting the further information about the degree of shading of the parking position of the vehicle.

The method has the same advantages as the already discussed advantages of the device.

The method for determining whether the vehicle is in a shaded or a sunny parked position may further include: determining a temperature difference between outside temperature and interior temperature, and determining that the vehicle is in a shaded or sunny parking position when the vehicle is in a parked or sunny position Temperature difference is less than or greater than a threshold.

The method of determining whether the vehicle is in a shaded or a sunny park position has the same advantages as the advantages of the device already discussed.

The method for determining whether the vehicle is in a shaded or sunny parking position may be in response to a brightness value of a brightness sensor.

The method of determining whether the vehicle is in a shaded or sunny park position has the same advantages as the advantages of the device already discussed.

Features and elements discussed above with respect to the devices may also be applied to the method.

The method of determining whether the vehicle is in a shaded or sunny park position may be in response to a velocity sensor speed value.

The method of determining whether the vehicle is in a shaded or sunny park position has the same advantages as the advantages of the device already discussed.

FIG. 1

zeigt eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung, und einer Verarbeitungseinrichtung, die nicht Teil der Erfindung ist.

FIG. 2

zeigt Verfahrensschritte eines Verfahrens, das nicht Teil der Erfindung ist.

FIG. 3

zeigt Verfahrensschritte eines Verfahrens, das nicht Teil der Erfindung ist.

The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1

shows a schematic representation of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a processing device, which is not part of the invention.

FIG. 2

shows process steps of a method which is not part of the invention.

FIG. 3

shows process steps of a method which is not part of the invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are only examples and are not to be construed as limiting. For example, while the embodiments are described as including a variety of features and elements, some of these features may be omitted in other embodiments and / or replaced by alternative features or elements. In other embodiments, additional or alternatively additional features or elements besides those explicitly described may be provided. Variants or modifications relating to one or more embodiments may be applied to other embodiments, unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 shows a device 109 for determining a degree of shading of a parking position for a vehicle. The device 109 comprises a sensor device 101, an evaluation device 102 and an output device 103.

The device 109 according to the invention is integrated in a vehicle and is used to determine whether a vehicle is in a shaded parking position or whether the vehicle is exposed to direct sunlight after the vehicle has parked, for example by speed sensors, the ignition and / or position data (eg GPS) of the vehicle is detected. For example, a speed sensor or GPS measurement can determine if the vehicle is at rest.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the sensor device 101 comprises at least one first temperature sensor for determining an outside temperature and at least one second temperature sensor for determining an interior temperature of a vehicle.

Outside temperature sensors are fitted as standard in today's vehicles and can determine the temperature that prevails outside the vehicle and in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle. Interior temperature sensors detect the temperature that prevails in the interior of the vehicle and are installed, for example, in vehicles with a regulated air conditioning.

From the determined outside temperature and the determined interior temperature is determined by the evaluation device 102, for example, a temperature difference between the outside temperature and the interior temperature. Is this temperature difference below one defined threshold, it is determined that the vehicle is in a shaded parking position. The threshold value for the temperature difference may be less than or equal to 20 Kelvin, for example ≦ 15 K, ≦ 10 K, ≦ 8 K, ≦ 5 K, ≦ 3 K or ≦ 1 K, other values are also possible and these values only as Example are to be understood.

If the temperature values of the outdoor sensor and the indoor sensor are approximately the same, or differ only within a predetermined temperature value (ie the difference is smaller than the threshold value), it is assumed that the vehicle is in a shaded parking position, ie in a shadow parking space located.

If the interior temperature of the vehicle is significantly higher than the outside temperature, it can be assumed that the vehicle is in the sun. In other words, it can be assumed that the vehicle is in the sun when the temperature difference is greater than another threshold. The further threshold may be equal to the threshold discussed above, but different thresholds may be used.

In general, the longer the vehicle is parked, the more accurate the information obtained about the degree of shading, since influences of the interior temperature during the preceding journey decrease. In the case of a shadow parking space, for example, the interior temperature should then approach the outside temperature. For example, in various embodiments, the above thresholds may also be defined as a function of service life, such as a larger threshold for a shorter vehicle life and a smaller longer service life threshold, as the values have more closely approximated in the case of a shadow parking lot after the longer service life should. In addition, to determine the degree of shading and the history can be evaluated, for example, how long the vehicle has gone before and how long the vehicle before where stood (for example, on a sunny parking lot or a shaded parking lot).

In addition or as an alternative to determining the degree of shading (ie whether a shaded parking position or a sunny parking position is present) based on the temperature difference, a change in the interior temperature over time and / or a change in the outside temperature over time can also be evaluated. For example, it may be determined that there is a sunny parking position when the interior temperature increases comparatively more than the outside temperature. This can for example be the case when a After the car has cooled down at night, warm up in the sun or park an air-conditioned car after driving in the sun. It can also be stated that a shaded parking position is present when the interior temperature rises in the same way (ie with approximately the same course) simultaneously or slightly delayed compared to the outside temperature, which may be the case, for example, after a cool night. Here, the ambient air and the interior of the vehicle heated by the rise in temperature at daybreak in the shade approximately equal, which may result in a delay due to the isolation of the vehicle. Typical deceleration values for such cases may, for example, be determined experimentally for a particular vehicle. It may also be noted that it is a shaded parking position when the internal temperature remains nearly constant or drops only slowly (eg, at a rate less than a predetermined rate threshold, which in turn can be determined experimentally). In this state, the internal temperature may also be higher than the outside temperature, for example, after a short drive from a sun parking lot to a shadow parking space in which an air conditioner has not yet completely cooled the vehicle.

As mentioned above, the measurement and evaluation of the temperature values preferably takes place only after a certain period of time has elapsed after the vehicle has been parked so that, for example, the value for the interior temperature is not falsified, for example by an air-conditioning system, since then obviously a lower temperature prevails in the vehicle. which does not correspond to that of the parked vehicle. The measurement and the comparison can also be carried out repeatedly.

In addition, the determination of the temperature difference can be supplemented by a comparison with weather data by the vehicle. The weather data provide information on whether there is any sunshine on the day and a comparison of the temperature values makes sense at all. With the help of brightness sensors, for example, the currently prevailing position of the sun can be determined. Boundary conditions, such as shady trees or buildings, are constant over a time scale of weeks.

The sensor device 101 may also include at least one brightness sensor. By means of the brightness sensor, it can be determined, for example, whether the sun is shining at all (or whether it is night, in this case, a determination of the degree of shading does not make sense). In addition, it can be determined with the brightness sensor, for example, whether windows of the vehicle are covered. For example, when parking a windscreen of the vehicle sometimes covered by a driver or other person with a reflective insulating film to reduce heating of the vehicle. Such a film leads to a reduced interior brightness, which can be detected by the brightness sensor. In this case, the fact that the vehicle heats up more slowly can be taken into account in the evaluation.

Other circumstances may be used in determining the degree of shading. For example, a taqes- and season can be taken into account in the evaluation. For example, the time of day has an influence on the position of the sun. Thus, e.g. a parking lot in the morning a sun car park and in the afternoon a shade parking lot. For example, the season has an influence on a foliage condition of trees or other plants. Thus, a parking lot in summer can be a shadow parking lot and in the fall or winter, a sun car park.

In addition, it can be evaluated from whether windows, doors or flaps (for example tailgates) are temporarily or permanently open. For this purpose, sensors are often already present in vehicles. Such opening of flaps, doors or windows can have an influence on the interior temperature, in particular lower it. For example, heating in a sunlit parking position with open windows is usually lower than with closed windows. Such effects can thus also be taken into account in the evaluation.

Also, in some embodiments, an orientation of the vehicle can be evaluated to the sun, for example by reading a built-in navigation system compass and taking into account the time of day dependent position of the sun. For example, vehicles heat up faster when the windshield is aimed exactly in the direction of the sun's rays. Such effects can thus also be taken into account.

Via the device 103 integrated in the device both the temperature values can be displayed to the driver of the vehicle and the fact that the vehicle is in a shaded parking position can be displayed.

The output device 103 can also output the above-mentioned information acoustically to the driver.

The transmission device 104 integrated in the device 109 transmits, for example wirelessly, the abovementioned information to a processing device 110, for example a server. The receiving device 105 integrated in the device 109 can also receive data, for example wirelessly, from the processing device 110 and forward it to the evaluation device 102 and / or the output device 103, for example.

Together with the data on the degree of shading, information about the position of the parked vehicle (and thus the position of the parking space) is preferably transmitted. Such a position can be determined, for example, by a position determination already in the vehicle, for example a GPS receiver. Additionally or alternatively, a visual localization, for example, via built-in cameras in the vehicle. Such cameras can detect, for example, street signs or similar information, which indicate the position of the parking lot. In other embodiments, the position of the parking lot can also be input manually or alternatively.

The data of the vehicle can be transmitted to a backend via an emergency call system, a so-called e-call unit. In this case, the backend can be a kind of server system that can transmit and / or receive data outside the vehicle, for example wirelessly. Wireless transmission, such as WLAN, is also possible.

The processing device 110 comprises a transmitting device 106 and a receiving device 107.

The receiving device 107 receives information about shading levels of several appropriately equipped vehicles at the same time or in succession.

The processing device 110 also includes a data memory 108 for storing data based on the received information. The transmitting device 106 in this case sends information about a degree of shading of the parking position in response to the request based on the stored data to the vehicle.

The on-vehicle device 109 may receive data from the processing device 110. For example, the device 109 may send a request for a shaded parking position to the processing device 110 via the transmitting device 104 and then receive a response from the transmitting device 104, for example where in the vicinity of the vehicle a shadow parking or sun parking is located. With this information, the driver of the vehicle can then control the corresponding shaded parking space and park his vehicle there.

The transmitting device 106 sends data from the processing device 110 to a vehicle or to a plurality of vehicles. For example, an entire map with shaded parking, such as a city, a driver can be made available online.

For example, current weather data can also be sent to one or more vehicles via the transmission device 106.

FIG. 2 shows method steps 201-203 of a method 2, which, for example, from the processing device 110, according to FIG. 1 , but can not be limited to.

In step 201 of the method 2, according to FIG. 2 , first information about shading levels of parking positions is received from a plurality of vehicles.

In step 202 of the method, according to FIG. 2 , data is stored based on the received first information.

In step 203 of the method, according to FIG. 2 , second information about a shading degree of a parking position is sent to the vehicle in response to the request based on the stored data.

FIG. 3 shows method steps 301-303 of a method 3, which, for example, from the device 109, according to FIG. 1 , but can not be limited to.

In step 301 of the method 3, according to FIG. 3 , an outside temperature and an interior temperature of a vehicle is determined.

In step 302 of the method 3, according to FIG. 3 , a degree of shading of a parking position of the vehicle is determined based on the outside temperature and the interior temperature of the vehicle. This determination can be carried out, for example, as explained above for the corresponding device.

In step 303 of the method 3, according to FIG. 3 , information about the degree of shading of the parking position of the vehicle is sent to a processing device.

The device according to the invention and the method not according to the invention can already be integrated and executed in all vehicles which have a controlled air conditioning system, since these have interior temperature sensors. In other cases, sensors provided specifically for the implementation of the devices and methods may be used. Outside temperature sensors are installed as standard in almost every vehicle.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

101

sensor device

102

evaluation

103

output device

104

transmitting device

105

receiver

106

transmitting device

107

receiver

108

data storage

109

device

110

processing device

2

method

201-203

steps

3

method

301-303

steps

Claims (11)

1. Apparatus (109) for determining a degree of shading of a parking position for a vehicle, comprising:

   - a sensor device (101), wherein the sensor device is set up to determine an outside temperature and an inside temperature of the vehicle,

   characterized in that the apparatus (109) also comprises:

   - an evaluation device (102), wherein the evaluation device (102) is set up to determine a degree of shading of the parking position of the vehicle on the basis of the outside temperature and the inside temperature,

   - a transmitting device (104), wherein the transmitting device (104) is set up to transmit information relating to the degree of shading of the parking position of the vehicle to a processing device (110) outside the vehicle,

   - a receiving device (105), wherein the receiving device (105) is set up to receive information relating to a further degree of shading of a further parking position from the processing device (110), and

   - an output device (103), wherein the output device (103) is set up to output information relating to the further degree of shading of the further parking position to a driver of the vehicle,

   wherein the sensor device (101) is also set up to determine whether a door and/or a window and/or a tailgate of the vehicle is/are open or closed, and wherein the evaluation device (102) is also set up to determine the degree of shading of the parking position on the basis of whether a door and/or a window and/or tailgate of the vehicle is/are open or closed.
2. Apparatus (109) according to Claim 1, wherein the evaluation device (102) is set up to determine a temperature difference between the outside temperature and the inside temperature and to determine the degree of shading on the basis of a comparison of the temperature difference with at least one threshold value.
3. Apparatus (109) according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the evaluation device (102) is set up to determine the degree of shading on the basis of a change in the inside temperature over time and/or on the basis of a change in the outside temperature over time.
4. Apparatus according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the evaluation device (102) is set up to determine, as the degree of shading, that the vehicle is in a shaded parking position if

   - the temperature difference is less than a first threshold value of the at least one threshold value, and/or

   - the inside temperature increases in the same manner as the outside temperature, and/or

   - the inside temperature increases, in comparison with the outside temperature, with a delay which is less than a delay threshold value, and/or

   - the inside temperature remains approximately constant or falls at a rate which is less than a rate threshold value, and/or wherein the evaluation device (102) is set up to determine, as the degree of shading, that the vehicle is in a sunny parking position

   - if the temperature difference is greater than a second threshold value of the at least one threshold value, and/or

   - the inside temperature increases more greatly over time than the outside temperature.
5. Apparatus (109) according to one of Claims 1-4, wherein the sensor device (101) comprises a brightness sensor, wherein the evaluation device (102) is set up to determine the degree of shading of the parking position on the basis of a brightness value of the brightness sensor.
6. Apparatus (109) according to one of Claims 1-5, wherein the evaluation device (102) is set up to determine whether the vehicle is in a parked state and to determine the degree of shading only when the vehicle is in a parked state.
7. Apparatus (109) according to one of Claims 1-6, wherein the evaluation device (102) is set up to compare information relating to the degree of shading of the parking position with weather data.
8. Apparatus (109) according to one of Claims 1-7, wherein the evaluation device (102) is set up to determine a location of the parking position, wherein the transmitting device (104) is set up to transmit the location of the parking position to the processing device (110) .
9. Apparatus (109) according to one of Claims 1-8, wherein the evaluation device (102) is set up to compare information relating to the degree of shading of the parking position with an item of temporal information, wherein the temporal information comprises a time of day and/or a season.
10. Apparatus (109) according to one of Claims 1-9, wherein the evaluation device (102) is set up to determine the degree of shading of the parking position on the basis of an orientation of the vehicle in the parking position with respect to a position of the sun.
11. Apparatus (109) according to one of Claims 1-10, wherein the evaluation device (102) is set up to determine the degree of shading after a predefined minimum parking time and/or repeatedly.

Images